Do you ever find yourself going through the motions all day, every day? Realizing you’ve spent days – or maybe even weeks – not living with intention and just going along for the ride? Saying yes to things you don’t *really* want to do and leaving no time for yourself? Yeah, me too.
I think it’s part of human nature to want to please people. To want to agree to do something that someone asks or offer a helping hand when we can, to show those around us that we are kind and considerable people. But when does this go TOO far and start to negatively impact on our mental well-being?
Since the rise of the self care movement, it’s been much more widely accepted to put ourselves first and I think that’s BLOODY WONDERFUL. I’m a big advocate for self care (as you probably know, reading this blog) and I’ll preach self care at any chance I get, if I feel like someone isn’t putting their needs first.
But even the most seasoned self care advocate takes a nose dive every once in a while and I think all of us here will relate to the feeling of just living for others and going through the motions, rather than focusing on our own needs and doing the things we love on a more regular basis.
A couple of years ago, that was me. I would RARELY do anything I loved. I was always focused on other people – a life-long empth, I was hyper-focused on the needs and feelings of other people to the point where mine didn’t matter at all, as long as they were happy.
It took an almighty toll on my mental health and my well-being and I’ve tried SO hard to claw my way back to a place of self compassion.
It doesn’t always involve anything grand or extravagant. Doing something we love every single day can be absolutely anything; from spending 30 uninterrupted minutes reading your favourite book or going for a run in the morning instead of having a lie-in because you know you’ll feel amazing after and you love running.
Seriously, putting yourself first really doesn’t have to mean much.
But sometimes we all need a little reminder to stop trying to please other people 24/7 and prioritize ourselves, even if it’s just for ONE small thing every single day.
So here are 6 convincing reasons to do something you love every day:
It helps you stop living for others so much
There’s always a fine line between living for yourself and for others, especially if you have children or additional responsibilities. But at the end of the day, EVERYONE has things in their life they’re responsible for so it’s important you put things into practice – like doing ONE thing you love every day – to help you maintain your identity and stop living for others quite as much.
It reinforces the idea that you matter
When you completely neglect your own needs and wants and stop doing those little things you love every day – like I did – then you’re subconsciously telling yourself that you don’t matter and what YOU want doesn’t matter and shouldn’t take priority. Which is obviously complete BS. Start doing that ONE little thing every day, especially if you’re struggling with self love.
It’s a form of self love and self care
And speaking of self love, doing one little thing every day that YOU love is absolutely a form of self love and self care. It might not look like it from the outside but who cares? Self care isn’t supposed to look perfect for Instagram, it’s supposed to aid your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health to allow you to be the happiest and healthiest you can be.
It’s healthy to have your own hobbies and interests
Just because there’s other people in your life doesn’t mean that you don’t have a life separate from them. Even if you spend 365 days a year with the same person, you still have your own mind, likes, needs and wants. So doing something small that you love every day is an incredibly healthy thing to do, especially in relationships.
It allows you to have something to look forward to
When our days are long and stressful, it’s SO important to have something to look forward to. Whether it’s on your lunch break or at the end of the day when you get home, adding those small acts of self care into your day can be an amazing thing to do for your mental well-being.
It’s good for your mental health
And finally yes, doing something you love every day is GREAT for your mental health and well-being. For all the reasons listed above and more. Doing things we love make us happy and self motivated, can help us relax and unwind after a long day, enhance our creativity and make us more productive. All things that never go amiss!
I really hope these reasons to do something you love every day have convinced to you to start prioritizing your own wants, to help improve your mental well-being throughout the day. Of course we’re all different, so your thing that you love might look vastly different to mine. But in case you’re struggling for ideas, you might want to consider:
- Reading a great book
- Exercising, practicing Yoga or moving your body in a way that feels amazing for you
- Going for a walk – even just for 10 minutes
- Taking the time to cook yourself a lovely evening meal
- Picking a movie that YOU want to watch
- Having a nap
- A cup of tea and cake afternoon break